DISTEND Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'distend' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distend are amplify , dilate , expand , inflate , and swell . While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within. // a distended abdomen

Q: When can 'amplify' be used instead of 'distend'?

The words amplify and distend can be used in similar contexts, but amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate. // amplify the statement with details

Q: When might 'dilate' be a better fit than 'distend'?

The words dilate and distend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference. // dilated pupils

Q: In what contexts can 'expand' take the place of 'distend'?

Although the words expand and distend have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts). // a business that expands every year

Q: When is it sensible to use 'inflate' instead of 'distend'?

The meanings of inflate and distend largely overlap; however, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse. // an inflated ego

Q: When is 'swell' a more appropriate choice than 'distend'?

While the synonyms swell and distend are close in meaning, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits. // the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

distend

verb

Definition of distend

as in to expand

to make or become larger especially because of pressure from inside The illness can cause the stomach to distend.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distend differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distend are amplify, dilate, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When can amplify be used instead of distend?

The words amplify and distend can be used in similar contexts, but amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than distend?

The words dilate and distend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

In what contexts can expand take the place of distend?

Although the words expand and distend have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of distend?

The meanings of inflate and distend largely overlap; however, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When is swell a more appropriate choice than distend?

While the synonyms swell and distend are close in meaning, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of distend His abdomen became very hard and distended. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026 According to a July 2025 update, Elliot’s abdomen was very hard and distended. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 Boxing scenes in movies, other than in a handful of classics, tend to start to look all the same, a mishmash of beads of sweat and blood and jowels distended, all fists flying and battering as two men catapult and careen across the ring. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026 My stomach wasn't distended anymore. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distend

Verb

Japan’s Inpex, for example, formed a joint venture to expand its LNG investment in Australia’s Northern Territory.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
While most of its stores are in mainland China, the company had 4,378 stores overseas as of end-June and has been expanding into new markets, including central Asia and the Americas.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Satellite imagery showed the scale of the flooding, with the basin of the Trishuli River dramatically swelled by mud.

— Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
During the seven years that it was occupied by British forces, Manhattan had been ravaged by fires, picked over by looters, covered in fortifications, and swollen with refugees.

— Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of swell

Verb

In essence, these medications – known as PDE-5 inhibitors – work by preventing the breakdown of a signaling molecule, which in turn helps relax smooth muscle cells and dilate blood vessels.

— Will Stone, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
The sudden temperature change causes blood vessels in the palate to constrict and then rapidly dilate as warm blood flows into the area to restore normal tissue temperature.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of dilate

Verb

There are also increasing concerns that the Russia-Ukraine war could escalate, amid reports that CIA chief John Ratcliffe have made a secretive Moscow trip to warn Russia against attacking NATO.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Friday starts dry in the Twin Cities with clouds and temperatures increasing through the afternoon.

— Joseph Dames, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Browse Nearby Words

distempers

distend

distended

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Distend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distend. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of distend

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes